Buddha, And Lion

Some time back, I researched on the relationship between Guan Yin and the dragon. You can revise it here. I find them to be in a yin-yang set:

The Dao and the De, Guan Yin and her dragon, the yin and the yang. Embodying the spirit of Guan Yin, and practicing her ways, letting her WILL manifest in our mortal lives, letting her dragon subdue our floods and bring in waves of blessings and prosperity.

So if you have the Lotus Guan Yin pendant, it would be good to have some dragons with you as well. Perhaps, the Double Dragon ring.

There are more of such manifestations or representations in Buddhism. One important set, is Buddha and the lion. Specifically, Sakyamuni Buddha 释迦摩尼佛. The Indian prince who renounced his crown and preached the Dharma some 2,500 years ago.

Already during his time, he was compared to the lion:

演法无畏，犹狮子吼，其所讲说，乃如雷震——《维摩诘所说经·佛国品》

(Buddha speaks of Dharma fearlessly, like the lion's roar. His voice, like thunder.)

And not just his voice, where he sat was also considered the lion's seat, or throne:

佛为人中之狮子。佛所坐处，若床若地，皆名狮子座。——《大智度论·七》

(The Lion's Throne, is where the Buddha sits. Wherever he is sitting or sleeping, that is the Lion's Throne)

I don't suppose Buddha was considered as a lion just because he spoke very loudly. It's definitely more than just the decibel of his voice. It's about the strength, the fearlessness as Buddha was speaking about the Dharma. The courage.

Perhaps it all seems a bit distant to understand the purpose of Buddha's courage. Or, of so many virtues and qualities, why highlight Buddha's courage?

Now, we see grand and magnificent monasteries, a great multitude of devoted believers. But it didn't start out like this. When Sakyamuni attained enlightenment, he had a choice: he could either keep it to himself, or teach the Dharma to others. Sakyamuni Buddha chose the latter path, a path that was indisputably uphill, challenging, and even life-threatening.

Sakyamuni was introducing, preaching and spreading something relatively new to the world. A new way of life, a new perspective, new faith...it is of no doubt that Sakyamuni faced overwhelming criticisms, ridicules, and even threats to break up his sangha, the very community of Buddhist monks that Sakyamuni established. And, even persecutions.

But once Sakyamuni chose the path of teaching the Dharma, he never wavered. He remained steadfast. Sakyamuni Buddha spread the Dharma fearlessly, like a lion. In fact, the very decision to spread a new perspective and ideology took enormous courage. The courage to challenge status quo, and the courage to stand by it, and be loud about it, even when challenged...these are the makings of the lion among men.

When Master Yun inherited the skills, knowledge and lineage from his grandfather 天乙居士, and became the 6th generation fengshui master, he too had a choice: to keep it as a private art, or to bring his standards and beliefs to the world. If he should take on the latter path, Master Yun would be shaking-up the fengshui and jewelry industries, drawing in criticisms and mounting challenges. And so he did. 

We just had the most amazing art exhibition ever, with Prince Tesso Sisowath as our Guest-of-Honor, and Laurent Perrier Champagne as our sponsor. And the Lotus founding gallery celebrates its 11th anniversary this coming June. I am sure we are going to have a spectacular and sumptuous celebration. The foundation of all the prosperity and elegance, laid on the committed passions and courage of one man.

Confucius taught us, when we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them (见贤思齐). So, what about us? What about you? In your daily life, are you believing in something greater than yourself, an ideal, a faith, and standing up for it, insisting on it, and even spreading the good word to people around us, despite the naysayers, despite the criticism and mockery, despite there might be people who would pull you into mediocrity? Are you choosing to be the cat, or the lion?

Have the courage.

-- Kan Ying Loong, Executive Director